Emperor Hirohito
•The Rightest believed emperor was a god.
•Emperor Hirohito – takes throne in 1926 at the age of twenty-five - favored peace and cooperation with foreign powers
•Supported by the Democratic (Minseito) Party.
*Hirohito, limited government spending for the military
*sided with GB and the USA on defense policies
Rise of Nationalism
• Nationalist - government is weak, wanted to return to traditional Japan - break from Western influence
• Mainly older people and military
The Manchurian Incident
• As Japan’s population was growing, they sought more land and resources.
• Manchuria, a neighbor was the viable option.
•Japanese believed that the Chinese were going to conquer Manchuria. Populated by people of Chinese descent
•Japan worried about China’s nationalistic ties
•Japanese military leaders attack, w.o the Emperor’s approval.
• Japan sent people over to occupy the area as a colony of Japan
•Showed the power of the military over the gov’t.
• US and Great Britain scold Japan verbally.
• Japan military in an attempted coup, gain high ranking positions in the government.
War Against China• July 1937, Japan continues attack
against China
• China couldn’t compete with Japanese military
Global Response• USA Response: Neutrality Acts
Passed by Congress to stop the US from foreign involvement.
– FDR calls for protection of a peaceful nation
• Soviets sent aid to the Chinese
• GB sent aid along THE BURMA ROAD
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
• Japan in an attempt to gain resources to continue the fight against China
• Spanned from Manchuria to the Dutch East Indies
• Tripartite Pact: In 1940 Japan allies itself with Germany and Italy (J-I-G)
• Signed neutrality pact with Soviet Union
• Focused on supremacy in Asia
